Abstract
BackgroundGermline mutations in LKB1 result in Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome characterized by intestinal hamartomas and increased incidence of epithelial cancers. LKB1 encodes a serine/threonine kinase that plays an important role in regulating energy metabolism through the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway. In addition, LKB1 is homologous to PAR-4, a polarity protein first described in C. elegans, while activation of LKB1 in mammalian epithelial cells induces the polarized assembly of actin filaments.ResultsTo explore the mechanism by which LKB1 interacts with the actin cytoskeleton, we introduced LKB1 into HeLa cells that lack endogenous LKB1. This results in activation of the small GTPase Rho and the assembly of linear actin filaments associated with focal adhesions. These effects on the actin cytoskeleton are attenuated by siRNA-mediated depletion of the guanine nucleotide exchange factor Dbl. Co-expression of the LKB1 with the adaptor protein STRAD induces actin filament puncta associated with phospho-ezrin.ConclusionsThis study reveals that LKB1 regulates the actin cytoskeleton through a Dbl/Rho pathway.
Highlights
Germline mutations in LKB1 result in Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome characterized by intestinal hamartomas and increased incidence of epithelial cancers
LKB1 regulates several important biochemical pathways, including cell metabolism, cell cycle and cell polarity, but it is not clear which of these are responsible for its tumor suppressor activity
To explore the connection between LKB1 and actin filament assembly, we have introduced an LKB1 expression construct into HeLa-S3 cells, a cervical cancer cell line that lacks endogenous LKB1
Summary
Germline mutations in LKB1 result in Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome characterized by intestinal hamartomas and increased incidence of epithelial cancers. LKB1 encodes a serine/threonine kinase that plays an important role in regulating energy metabolism through the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway. LKB1 is homologous to PAR-4, a polarity protein first described in C. elegans, while activation of LKB1 in mammalian epithelial cells induces the polarized assembly of actin filaments. Germline mutations in the gene encoding LKB1, a serine/ threonine kinase, results in Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome (PJS), characterized by intestinal hamartomas and increased incidence of epithelial cancers [1]. LKB1 regulates several important biochemical pathways, including cell metabolism, cell cycle and cell polarity, but it is not clear which of these are responsible for its tumor suppressor activity.
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